Improvements to OWB Concealed Carry with the ShapeShift

August 18, 2017 7:00:00 AM PDT

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A concealed carry holster does not have to be an inside the waistband (IWB) holster.

They help, yes, and are designed solely for that, yes, but they are not the only option, and can actually be an incorrect option for some based on personal preferences and restrictions like wardrobe, situation and body type.

The ShapeShift OWB Slide Holster was designed for concealed carry outside the waistband.

Here's how and why:

What An OWB Concealed Carry Holster Needs To Do

As an OWB concealed carry holster, the ShapeShift OWB Slide was designed to ride close and high on the waistline to reduce printing and improve concealment.

How so?

A shell with a slim profile that's mounted to a compact backer.

The injection-molded, polymer Shift Shell ends about an inch to an inch and a half above where, for example, a jeans pocket joins the side seam.

This allows it to be more easily covered by a shirt or jacket.

The jeans (or whatever type of trousers the gun owner prefers, no judgment here — unless they're male jeggings, then maybe a little judgement) must be pulled up to the waistline, of course.

To add to that, the shell, which fully encloses the trigger guard, sits close to the waist with minimal materials to push it outward and away from the body.

This minimizes its presence, making a shirt easily hang over it.

It's made to be positioned strong-side, but the placement is completely up to the carrier's discretion. Some prefer the 3 o'clock position (imagine the waistline as a clock with 12 o'clock at the belt buckle), but it can easily rest from 1:00 to 2:30 for an OWB appendix carry.

Your call.

Whatever choice you make, be sure that it fits your personal preferences. Given that this is a post completely about the benefits of this ShapeShift holster, know that there is a 30-day test drive that accompanies it.

Try it out. If it doesn't work for you, no worry. We'll buy it back within that time frame.

Just because it's all preference does not mean there aren't common issues in typical OWB CCW holsters.

Just know that there will never be a single, universal, best way to carry, just like there will never be a single, universal, best handgun.

Issues The ShapeShift OWB Slide Targets And Fixes

Printing is a common issue with OWB concealed carry, which the previously mentioned form factors mitigate whether the gun is double or single stack.

A thin, feeble belt will also impact this carry style. The belt sagging below the waistline because of the firearm's weight will decrease concealability.

The ShapeShift OWB Slide is a belt slide holster with loops (made from the same polymer as the shell) large enough to fit a variety of thick gun belts to avoid the dreaded belt sag.

Another common issue with concealed carry is that it affects the gun owner's wardrobe.

An inside the waistband (IWB) holster can be uncomfortable for some who prefer to wear form-fitting pants.

This can be avoided by purchasing pants with a waistband an inch or an inch-and-a-half longer than what normally fits. Buying a whole new wardrobe though? Not feasible for many new concealed carriers.

They can, however, try out an OWB concealed carry holster. This one is built for comfort by integrating a backer into the design.

The backer has the same combination of materials that the ShapeShift Appendix Carry Holster utilizes — perforated CoolVent neoprene, ballistic nylon, spring steel and thermoplastic elastomer.

You know why that is?

It has the same backer.

Changing from the ShapeShift OWB Slide Holster to the inside the waistband appendix carry configuration requires removing the two twist locks, removing the two belt slide attachments, attaching the AIWB clip and twisting the locks back on.

The ability to change carry styles without any tools was a primary objective when designing this OWB concealed carry holster.

Technically, within moments it has the ability to be reconfigured into any of the available ShapeShift options, like classic IWB, appendix IWB and OWB paddle holster.

Not many, if any, other OWB concealed carry holsters offer these options.